Traffic is backed up on the Long Island Expressway just west of Exit 59 Ocean Avenue as payloaders clear snow from the road after a storm, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in Ronkonkoma , NY. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

(Newser)
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The Long Island Expressway looks like a scene from the apocalypse today. Hundreds of drivers who braved the Northeast's historic snowstorm last night are either stuck there or have abandoned their cars altogether, the New York Times reports. "It’s terrible. It’s cold. I don’t know how long I’m going to be here," says a nurse who's less than mile from her destination. "Are there any plans to help us?" There are indeed: Gov. Andrew Cuomo is supervising a rescue effort that includes some 300 plows.

But their effort is hindered by cars scattered across lanes and jammed on exit ramps. People with shovels have helped dig out drivers for a fee, but the cars barely make progress before getting stuck again. And with drivers being treated for hypothermia, Cuomo is coming under criticism for leaving the freeway open when Massachusetts authorities barred drivers from the roads. "We wanted to give people an opportunity to get home," says Cuomo. "We didn’t want to strand people at work."

dumb azz drivers tow them all and charge them 3x to get cars back! just dumb azz!

butch70

Feb 10, 2013 10:58 AM CST

When the man say stay off the roads in blizzard do it and stay home. It is safer that way. If you are stuck in the snow leave the windows cracked open so carbon monxide will not build up.

793tango

Feb 10, 2013 8:45 AM CST

He should have issued a statement saying 'we're closing the roads at X time.' and then businesses would have had to close early to give their people time to get home safely. Not the other way around. Also updstate NY didn't get as much snow as the NYC metro ares. I have a friend up there and she said they only got about 6 inches. But I think Cuomo just torpedoed his chances as reelection. Screw ups like this tend to stick in voters minds.